It could be worse
 

I just got told Wed that I get to spend the holidays in Iraq, instead of with my family. I am going instead of someone else that was slated to go, won't go into the reason why. Guess I can't complain too much, it will be the first Christmas away in my 23 yrs in the AF. Guess I will appreciate the next one more. I leave Saturday and get back in Feb sometime. It will be my last trip for the AF as I retire in June and will have to get a real job then. Just want to say thanks for all on this site for the support for the military ya'll demonstrate. I am only going for 3 months and will be relatively safe, don't know how the Army and Marine guys do it for one year plus in harms way. It's getting more and more ugly over there, guess I will find out how bad it really is. When I was over in Qatar last year this time things looked a hell of a lot more hopeful than they do now. I will be in a HQ job so will have internet access and will be monitoring the site during my down time. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

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Godspeed, Dave...

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..and I'm sure we'll see you in 3. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif
https://www.yenko.net/attachments/227539-flag.gif

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Take it easy Dave. I will meet up with you at Pavillions when you get back! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Stay safe! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

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Dave..when you get out you can probably go back on base and work...my brother was AF for at least 25 years...after he left he went back on base to work ! He tells me to just keep paying my taxes cuz he needs a raise !! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

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My uncle did the same thing, Bob...left the AF to do the exact same job he was doing, except for more money, and under contract from the Holland government...!

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Stay safe and thanks for doing what you are doing....

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Godspeed to you and your safe return!!

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Dave, Keep safe and MAHALO for doing what you do.

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Bless you and your family. Take Care and Thanks for doing what you are doing. My Dad's an ex Air Force SAC Pilot so kind of know what you mean by taking someone else's place. Tell the folks over there the folks back home wish them well too!

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

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Dave get a hold of me after you retire... I work for a Gov-contractor that supports our boys around the world and your computer skills can help us out, that is if you want to relocate to Missouri... I cant get into any details as everything we do is classified but PM me with your number and I will call you back today if your interested... If not have fun in the sand and be safe... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gifMark

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Mark,
Thanks for the offer, my current plan is to go back out to the Phoenix area and fly Helicopter EMS. I have a job offer with a major operator and want to get back in the cockpit. The schedule for that job is one week on, one week off. Pays enough to make a living and provides time off to play with cars. But, give me a call and I will see what you have to offer, my background is in Special Ops and I have a TS-SCI with about a year on the latest background check. My cell is: 850.543.0221 I fly to Israel on Sat afternoon, only good part of the trip, I get to fly with the Israelis for a week and then the vacation's over and the serious business begins.
thanks,

Dave

Thanks to everyone who responded, thanks for the support not only to me but the military in general. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ouguysrock.gif

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Thanks for all you do and be safe Dave! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

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Stay safe in the sandbox and many, many thanks for your service...Take care! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

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Take care of yourself over there. I hope the 90 days "fly" by and you are back before too long.

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Stay safe and thanks for doing what I don't have the guts to do. Stay in touch.

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Thanks to you and all are Armed Services !!! Maybe you will get lucky and find one of those COPO Humvees !

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Be safe Sir, and keep in touch when you can.

Give ALL of our men this message from everyone here on the sYc site.

" https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ouguysrock.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif "

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...our prayers are with you for a safe return
.... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif
....thanks for doing what your doing
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

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God bless you and stay safe. Thank you for what your doing. Kim https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

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Update from NGTFLYR....

Dave reported to his intermediary Mid East stop prior to reporting to Iraq. Dave had some fun teaching certain allies in the region to fly the a** off of an American-origin helicopter that they fly. A couple of days of R&R site-seeing and then off to the "sandbox".

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

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If you talk to him...tell him *hi* from the guys...looking forward to meeting up with him at Pavillions!

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Stay safe over there, Dave. Winter next year I will be able to bring you a beer or two to the Pavillions https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif